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Londolozi Live

Membership overview

We invite you to sign up for a Londolozi Live account and join our growing digital family united by our respect for nature and love of the wild. Membership is free and grants access to the Londolozi community, numerous innovative services and benefits across our digital ecosystem:

Quick sign in/sign up

Tired of new passwords? Link your social media account of choice for instant, secure access to Londolozi Live.

Who are you?

Tell the community something about yourself and tweak your Londolozi profile. More of a secretive animal? Keep your profile private.

Track your activity

Earn badges for your profile as you interact with Londolozi and the community as you comment, share and explore our online ecosystem. All your activity with Londolozi is now connected.

Increase your ranking

Earn prowess and rank up as you interact with Londolozi Live and earn a spot on the monthly points leaderboard.

Discuss stories

Chat with other Londolozi Live Explorers and with your favourite Contributors from the Londolozi team about their photos and stories from the wild.

Curate your own galleryNEW

Add your favorite photographs from around Londolozi Live to your very own Favorites gallery, using the ♡ button, for others to enjoy.

Purchase full res photosNEW

Buy your favorite photos in full resolution, easily and securely, for download at any time from your Profile Page.

Home of leopards

Tell us which of the Leopards of Londolozi you've encountered during your visit! Their cards will move to your profile page collection.

Rent gear

Need a camera for your stay? Book it online and hassle free. Travel to Londolozi light and easy.

Londolozi Live q

Remembering Madiba

As the helicopter landed in the front of Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa and outstepped Nelson Mandela, I knew that this would be a defining moment in my life. Madiba had been sent by an old friend, Enos Mabuza, to spend a few quiet days relaxing at Londolozi after weeks of hectic media exposure following his release from prison earlier that year.

Incredibly, I had been given the rare privilege to spend a few unstructured days alone in the presence of this great icon. Together we enjoyed many hours of relaxed game drives as we sojourned in complete privacy along the meandering bush track of Londolozi. During this amazing time I was able to show Madiba, for the first time in his life, Africa’s Big Five, including some spectacular moments of wildlife theatre that only Africa can deliver. Theatre that, until this moment, Madiba had never before experienced. These first hand experiences highlighted for Madiba the potential that wildlife has. He realized that it was an economic driver that could offer opportunities to rural people and it could also be the catalyst for showcasing to an international audience, the country that he was about to govern.

A rare photograph of Nelson Mandela arriving at Londolozi in 1991

During our time together, Madiba came to understand the power of the eco tourism safari industry as a development tool for creating opportunity, careers, social upliftment, jobs and education for those who had been caught in the disaster of the apartheid trap. Madibas intellect, humbleness and absolute willingness to listen, meant that he quickly grasped the importance of protecting biodiversity and river catchments and the possibilities of advancing the green frontiers of our country. During his stay at Londolozi and following many hours of inspiring dialogue, Madiba promised that under an ANC government, river catchments would be protected as would all land under wildlife.

He made good on his promise and today South Africa has some of the most advanced water regulation legislation of any country in the world. And it was on his watch as President that the Great Transfrontier peace parks were conceived and endorsed by Madiba and three other presidents from our neighboring countries. The concept of Transfrontier peace parks stands today as a shining beacon for conservation and restoration, yet another enduring legacy of the huge contribution that Madiba has made to humanity.

Madiba was good company, always warm and engaging with a humanness that permeated his whole being.

On a more personal note, and in hindsight, I have come to realize that spending relaxed mornings together in a Landover, roaming the landscapes of Londolozi, eating breakfast in the quiet shade of a thousand year old Ebony tree was an unparalleled privilege that will remain with me for the rest of my days. Madiba was good company, always warm and engaging with a humanness that permeated his whole being. On two separate occasions, however, I witnessed Madiba, the statesman, in action:

The first of these occasions was when ten people had been murdered in Alexander Township and the reports of these atrocities had reached us at Londolozi. Using a very rudimentary radio field telephone I was able to connect Madiba with de Klerk and I listened to a telephone conversation as the future President warned the departing President of the consequence if the third force, that was perpetuating these atrocities, was not reined. We watched in awe as continued negotiations hung in the balance and our country strayed into the abyss.

On another occasion when Madiba was staying with us, the right wing political party drove the armored car through the front door of the building where CODESA talks about a new South African constitution were taking place. When the news reached us Madiba went into a rage and instructed that I locate a helicopter to take him immediately to the scene were the news coming in suggested that the civil war had just begun. I had my work cut out to convince Madiba not to fly by helicopter to the scene but rather to arrange for him to be met by his security personal at Lanseria airport.

It seems strange now, as I think back on that moment, the boy from the bush confronting the future President of South Africa in a heated argument about whether I would “allow” him to go by helicopter into harms way, arguing that he should rather take my advice and travel by fixed wing aircraft to a more safe location at Lanseria airport. Typical of the man, following our rather robust conversation, he apologized to me for his hot headedness and confirmed that my advice had been in his best interest and accordingly he flew to Lanseria to attend the pending crisis, which he once again averted.

Nelson Mandela at Londolozi

On many occasions when we were together, the humility of this great servant leader became apparent. He greeted all whom he met from back of house staff member to front of house celebrity guest in the same warm and engaging manner. His public endorsement of Londolozi in 1992 remains one of the most significant events in Londolozi’s forty-year history. At the centenary celebrations of the Natal Parks attended by a very prestigious audience Mandela said that:

“During my long walk to freedom, I had the rare privilege to visit Londolozi. There I saw people of all races living in harmony amidst the beauty that Mother Nature offers. Londolozi represents a model of the dream I cherish for the future of nature preservation in our country”

What is for certain is that Madiba is one of the great gifts to humanity and his effort in preserving six million acres of wild lands, which was once a war zone, now a peace park, is yet another of his legacies to humanity and one which will endure long after we have all passed.

At Londolozi we have created a path called Freedoms Way, which is a tribute in memory of his many visits to the reserve. Freedoms Way, a winding path dotted with land art works and inspirations, leads our guests on from their luxury Londolozi camp to our staff village where for years, in accordance with Madiba’s dream of 1992, we have created a spirit of harmony and co-operation across the cultures.

The beginning of Freedom’s Way, an art installation centered around the principles of Mandela’s values.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

It is therefore with great nostalgic pride and affection that I, on behalf of the Londolozi Family, wish Madiba all the peace and grace he so richly deserves from his 95 years on this planet.

Kensili nkopho

Hamba Khale

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

About the Author

Dave Varty

Co-Founder/Owner

Dave's story is too full and rich to tell in a brief blog bio. Suffice it to say that it is due to his passion, hard work and lifelong dedication to conservation that Londolozi is what it is today. One of the co-founders ...

Dave, What a beautiful tribute to a brilliant man. What an honor it must have been to spend time with him in you magical bushveld at Londolozi. We can only imagine what the experience for him must have been like after all the time he was in prison! Thank you for sharing your stories and special images. We are all very sad today, but know that his inspiration will live on for generations to come!

Never met the man, only time I ever saw him was at the ’95 Rugby World Cup with a No.6 jersey on standing next to Francois Pienaar. I realized his awe and presence when the crowd went nuts after he raised his hand! What a brilliant symbol of peace, freedom and unity! I certainly felt him standing what seemed like a mile away! Rest in peace Madiba.

Associates & Awards

One moment...

Purchase a photograph

Our best photographs are available for purchase in digital format from the Londolozi Live Fine Art Store, via credit card. Purchasable photos are tagged with the Fine Art Store icon:

Once purchased, you will be able to download the full resolution, unwatermarked image (around 10Mb) from your profile page at any time. There are also different license options which you can choose from when adding the image to your cart.

To add any purchasable image to your cart, press the Purchase/Add to cart buttons next to an image, from anywhere across Londolozi Live:

Badges

Badges are awarded for achieving various things and come with a bunch of points in tow. Here's an example badge:

We've had the pleasure of hosting you here at Londolozi and together we've experienced the magic of the wild and now you're part of the family. You've let us know about your past visits while editing your Profile.

Londolozi Guest

Awarded for visiting Londolozi.

1000

prowess earned

for earning the Londolozi Guest badge

Each badge has a basic version, such as the Londolozi Guest badge above, and then a specialist version:

Londolozi Lifer

Awarded for visiting Londolozi three times.

2000

prowess earned

for earning the Londolozi Lifer badge

To see all the badges on offer and find out how to grab them, visit the Badge Showcase or click on any badge you happen to find out there in the wild.

Senior Digital Ranger

Digital Tracker

Master Tracker

Guest

We've had the pleasure of hosting you here at Londolozi and together we've experienced the magic of the wild and now you're part of the family. You've let us know about your past visits while editing your Profile.

You've earned the badge:

Londolozi Guest

Awarded for visiting Londolozi.

1000

prowess earned

for earning the Londolozi Guest badge

You're a specialist in this field and have earned the badge:

Londolozi Lifer

Leopard

On a trip to Londolozi you've been lucky enough to spot a leopard of Londolozi. You've encountered the leopard's profile card on the Blog and pressed the 'Spotted this Leopard?' button to record your sighting.

Lion Fanatic

Photographer

You've got an eye for the wilderness and have had your photographic journal from your time at Londolozi published on the Blog for others to enjoy. You found out how to submit your story by emailing us.

You've earned the badge:

Photographer

Awarded for submitting a photo story.

700

prowess earned

for earning the Photographer badge

You're a specialist in this field and have earned the badge:

Master Photographer

Storyteller

You've got the gift of the storyteller and have had a tale of your time at Londolozi published on the Blog for others to marvel at around the camp fire. You found out how to submit your story by emailing us.

Art Specialist

Good Work Foundation

You recongise the rare privilege it is to be able to experience the untamed beauty of the natural world, and have found an opportunity to give back through The Good Work Foundation, for the sake of others, your children and the wild. You've let us know about your donations while editing your Profile.

You've earned the badge:

GWF Patron

Awarded for donating to The Good Work Foundation.

500

prowess earned

for earning the GWF Patron badge

You're a specialist in this field and have earned the badge:

GWF Protector

Curator

You've curated your own Favorites gallery by ♡ing at least 15 photographs which you absolutely love from around Londolozi Live. If your Favorites gallery has caught the eye of the Fine Art site Editor and is featured, you've also earned the esteemed Featured Curator badge.

Londolozi Live

Membership Overview

Londolozi Live

Membership overview

We invite you to sign up for a Londolozi Live account and join our growing digital family united by our respect for nature and love of the wild. Membership is free and grants access to the Londolozi community, numerous innovative services and benefits across our digital ecosystem:

Quick sign in/sign up

Tired of new passwords? Link your social media account of choice for instant, secure access to Londolozi Live.

Who are you?

Tell the community something about yourself and tweak your Londolozi profile. More of a secretive animal? Keep your profile private.

Track your activity

Earn badges for your profile as you interact with Londolozi and the community as you comment, share and explore our online ecosystem. All your activity with Londolozi is now connected.

Increase your ranking

Earn prowess and rank up as you interact with Londolozi Live and earn a spot on the monthly points leaderboard.

Discuss stories

Chat with other Londolozi Live Explorers and with your favourite Contributors from the Londolozi team about their photos and stories from the wild.

Curate your own galleryNEW

Add your favorite photographs from around Londolozi Live to your very own Favorites gallery, using the ♡ button, for others to enjoy.

Purchase full res photosNEW

Buy your favorite photos in full resolution, easily and securely, for download at any time from your Profile Page.

Home of leopards

Tell us which of the Leopards of Londolozi you've encountered during your visit! Their cards will move to your profile page collection.

Rent gear

Need a camera for your stay? Book it online and hassle free. Travel to Londolozi light and easy.

sightings by Members

The Leopards of Londolozi

Since 1979 Londolozi has had a love affair with leopards. Over the last four decades, this dynasty has been chronicled by the many guides and trackers, past and present, who have worked at Londolozi.

You can visit the Mashaba 4:3 Female's dedicated profile page to access a rich trove of information about this leopard, including family tree, unique markings, territory maps, timelines and a host of stunning images and videos.